More than 430 people attended the 11^th Annual Gala to show their commitment to the Foundation and recognize the 2009 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence, Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, on Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Thanks to everyone who supported the event, the IBF met or exceeded every goal for the 2009 Gala, netting more than $230,000. These important funds will be used to help support the Foundation and the many grantee organizations and individuals who receive financial assistance. Oh, What a Night! There was definitely a feeling of excitement in the air that evening. Guests at the sold-out event were given the opportunity to bid on 5 different Live Auction items, and more than 90 Silent Auction items, including a variety of vacation stays, jewelry, wine, artwork, sports memorabilia and sports and concert tickets. Some of the highlights of the Live Auction were a trip for two to the 2010 Masters Tournament Final Rounds, a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain, and a legal letter that was signed by Abraham Lincoln during his days with the firm of Logan & Lincoln. Open space was scarce in the crowded auction area but nobody seemed to mind as they enjoyed specialty martinis and champagne cocktails from the Martini Bar. Bidding was done on computerized terminals that allowed Gala volunteers to carry the terminals around the ballroom, updating the guests on their bids, which encouraged some very competitive bidding wars.  In addition to the two auctions, raffle tickets could be purchased for $100 each for the chance to win either a Trip for Two to San Francisco and Sonoma, CA, a 55" Samsung LCD TV, or $2,500 in cash. Surprisingly, one person was the lucky winner of two of the prizes after purchasing only two tickets; Brian Monico won the San Francisco trip and the $2,500, while Tom Else, an IBF Board member, was the lucky winner of the Samsung TV.

While I admit that I may be biased, I believe that this was our best Gala in recent memory. - Vince Cornelius, IBF Board President.

The evening's program was kicked off by Board Gala Chair and IBF Silver Fellow Shawn Kasserman of Corboy & Demetrio, who recognized and thanked the two Gala Co-Chairs, Barry Montgomery of Williams, Montgomery & John, and Lorna Propes of Propes and Kaveny, as well as the rest of the Committee members. Brief remarks from ISBA President John O'Brien and IBF Board President Vince Cornelius kept the program moving. Perry Browder of the Simmons Firm, Gala Vice Chair and an IBF Board Member, was introduced as the 2010 Board Gala Chair. After a four-course meal and the Award Presentation by Michael Monico of Monico, Pavich and Spevack to Senator Cullerton, who attended with his wife Pam and family, guests remained to dance to the music of the Ken Arlen Orchestra and find out which items they'd be taking home. All in all, a wonderful time was had by everyone present. Most importantly, with the assistance of these funds the Foundation will continue to move forward in its mission to serve the people of Illinois by ensuring meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.

Tonight is about the work we do and the efforts we make to ensure that justice is fair for everyone in Illinois. For each of you, I commend your work...I thank you for your charitable efforts and continued work throughout the year. Each dollar you contribute to the works of this Foundation is an investment in the goal to make the idea of freedom truly work. - Sen. John Cullerton during his award speech.

Please save the date for the 2010 Gala on Friday, October 15, 2010!

2009 Gala Sponsors

Circle of Friends

Gala Partner

Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC

VIP Reception Sponsor

Corboy & Demetrio, P.C.

Silent Auction Sponsor

Powers Rogers & Smith

Reception Sponsor

Wight & Company

Wine sponsor

Foote, Meyers, Mielke & Flowers

Benefactors

Clifford Law Offices

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Williams, Montgomery & John

Raffle Sponsor

Preferred Capital Lending

Champagne Sponsor

ISBA Mutual Insurance Company

Coat Check Sponsor

Vincent F.Cornelius

Violin Trio Sponsor

Entertainment Software Association

Patrons

Amari & Locallo

Ameren Illinois Utilities

Anesi Ozmon Rodin Novak & Kohen Ltd.

Bradford Settlement

Cassiday Schade, LLP

Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Shevlin & Brauer Ltd.

Paul Episcope

Hartigan & O'Connor

Hassakis & Hassakis

Jenner & Block

John Marshall Law School

ISBA Mutual Insurance Company

Lavin Law Offices

Leahy & Hoste

Lupel Weininger LLP

Monico, Pavich and Spevack

Morici, Figlioli &Associates

Shefsky & Froelich

Tabet, DiVito & Rothstein

Winston & Strawn LLP

Table sponsors

Attorney's Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

Hinshaw & Culbertson

Illinois State Bar Association

Romanucci & Blandin

Thompson Coburn

2009 Gala Committee

Gala Co-Chairs

Barry Montgomery

Lorna Propes

Board Gala Chair

Shawn S. Kasserman

Vice Chairs

Perry J. Browder

Vincent F.Cornelius

Peter Flowers

Mark D.Hassakis

Michael D.Monico

John C. Sciaccotta

Caesar A.Tabet

Auction Committee Co-Chairs

Peter J. Birnbaum

Gregg A.Garofalo

Michael D.Monico, Live Auctioneer

Program Book Committee Co-Chairs

James J. Morici, Jr.

Dan Houlihan

Raffle Committee Co-Chairs

Russell W. Hartigan

Christine M.Ory

Underwriting Committee Co-Chairs

Antonio M.Romanucci

Rudolf G. Schade, Jr.

Committee Members

Dion Davi

Anita M.DeCarlo

Ann Hatch

Terrence J. Lavin

Tom Leahy

George Leynaud

Sheila Murphy

Lisa Nyuli

Arlette G. Porter

Meredith Ritchie

Letitia Sheats

Frank A. Sommario

April G. Troemper

Rory T.Weiler